.....HISTORY.....

Starting off for the Pipla Survey in Nangkor, Zhemgang, April 2004

Bio Label Bhutan – A study tour through India and Bangladesh

History

The origins of Bio Bhutan come from Switzerland - a country of similar in size and landscape to Bhutan and closely involved with development in Bhutan since the early 60’s. The idea of Bio Bhutan came intoexistance during the Swiss Expo of 2002. Reflecta Ag. (a Swiss Consulting firm) in collaboration with Coop (the largest retailer of organic products in Switzerland) displayed fine Bhutanese architecture in the Expo. The successful collaboration culminated into the idea of conducting a feasibility study for establishing a bio label in Bhutan similar to the one called “natura-plan” in Switzerland. With financial support from Coop and through the auspices of the Swiss Bhutan Society in Switzerland and the Bhutan Swiss Friendship Association in Bhutan three consultants were fielded to conduct the study.

Three consultants: Dr. agr. Irmela Krug (a German living in Bhutan for many years), Mrs. Karma Yangzom (a Bhutanese consultant) and Patrick Vogel of Reflecta carried out the study over a period of five months from August to December in 2003. The final report concluded that it is feasible to introduce an organic label in Bhutan. The findings of the report together with the action plan were presented in a stakeholder meeting held on May 12th, 2004 in Thimphu. Participants of the meeting included representatives from different ministries of the government, NGO’s, international organizations and the private sector of Bhutan. Through the entire process, the Coordination office of Helvetas/SDC in Thimphu was closely involved as a partner and supporter.

Discussions between the Helvetas office at Zurich, Helvetas/SDC Bhutan, members of the Swiss Bhutan Society and the two consultants resulted in the decision that it would be most appropriate for the Bio Label Bhutan action plan to operate as a private enterprise. Financial support would be provided to the enterprise by Helvetas in the form of a soft loan.
Renamed as “Bio Bhutan”, the enterprise availed a loan of Nu. 5.6 million (approximately CHF 171,818.00) from Helvetas in January 2005 and got its business license from the Ministry of Trade and Industry in June, 2005.